Today is our real last day in Italy. We enjoyed the morning in Venice and then took a train to Milan. We are staying at a hotel near the Milan airport and will be flying home tomorrow. We had a fantastic dinner at la Quercita. I can't believe it's really over. I can't wait to return.

Today we spent most of the day shopping in Venice. We had a great dinner In the evening and then we took a gondola ride. Afterward, Nancy, Julie and I went to the rooftop terrace of one of the hotels where we enjoyed some wine and conversation. Another great night!

This morning we were picked up by Nicholas' son Alberito who took us to Naples train station. We boarded a train to Florence and checked into the Hotel degli Orafi right by Ponte Vecchio. We explored Florence, had dinner and gelato.

After breakfast on our hotel terrace, Julie, Nancy and I spent a few hours on the beach and then did some more exploring. We returned for some refreshments on the terrace with mom and aunt Pam.

After eating so much last night, we decided to take out some pizza and salad from one of the local restaurants for dinner. We ordered a couple of bottles of Proseco, bought some cheese and had a wonderful dinner on the beautiful terrace of our hotel. It was a great night spending time with some of my favorite women and taking in the magnificent views.

   Today was a crazy day. We walked around Florence and did some shopping. We then took a bus to the train station and headed to Venice. Once there we took a water bus to Saint Mark's Square. From there it was a short walk to the Hotel Colombina where we will be staying for the next 2 nights.

    We explored Venice in the evening and then ate at a restaurant recommended by our hotel. We had a great dinner.

    Afterward, Nancy and I took a long walk. Saint marks Square was practically underwater due to the combination of the high tide and the super moon. People were sloshing around in the water. What a sight!!

This morning we enjoyed a great breakfast on the rooftop of our Sorrento Hotel. We spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool. We all needed a day to recharge our batteries. This evening we are off to a cooking class at Villa Ida.

Tonight we had one of our best experiences in Italy. We went for a cooking class at Villa Ida. It was like visiting long lost family. We cooked a variety of local favorites including fried zucchini flowers, bacon wrapeed green beans, zucchini pasta and more.

We also spent some time in the family wine cellar learning about their wine making process and tasting the fruits of their labor. We then had a candlelight dinner by the pool and got to eat everything that we cooked. What a fantastic experience!!!

This morning Nicholas picked us up and drove us to Hotel California in Positano. The hotel is owned by the Cinque family and they made us feel welcome from the start. John, one of the owners, was actually born in the Bronx, but moved here when he was four years old.
While Mom and Aunt Pam settled in, we explored the town. Everything in Positano is steps so you have to be in pretty good shape. This place is amazing. After coming here four years ago, I always knew that I would return someday.

    In the evening we were picked up in a shuttle and taken to La Tagliata, a restaurant way up on the cliffs of Positano. It was like a roller coaster ride and at times it felt as though we were going to plummet down the side of the cliff. Scary, but well worth the trip.

    Once we arrived we were seated in a beautiful outdoor terrace with the most amazing views. There are no menus. They just start bringing out plate after plate of delicious local dishes. We enjoyed a variety of starters, pastas, grilled meats, unlimited wine and desserts. They also had live music and by the end of the evening, everyone was up on their feet dancing and singing. What a great time!!

    Today we took a train from Rome to Naples. Nicholas, from Rainbow Limousines, picked us up and drove us to the Hotel Regina in Sorrento. We relaxed by the pool in the afternoon. We all need a few hours to relax and recharge our batteries.

    In the evening we walked down to what looked like a small fishing village and had a wonderful dinner on the sea.

    Today we visited the Pantheon and spent the rest of the day shopping and eating gelato.

     We had dinner at Tucci in Piazza Navona. We had a wonderful last evening in Rome.

    Today we spent the day visiting the Colliseum and sightseeing around Rome. Afterward we enjoyed gelato at the world famous San Crispino.

    Later in the evening we had a wonderful dinner and again found our way to the Spanish Streps.